Contracts explain difference between Padres trades

Cincinnati Reds' Yonder Alonso rounds second base after hitting a home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the Florida Marlins, Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2011, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
— AP

Cincinnati Reds' Yonder Alonso rounds second base after hitting a home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the Florida Marlins, Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2011, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
/ AP

How can that be? Gonzalez was a three-time All-Star with the Padres. He was a model of consistency and a team leader. Latos had streaks of brilliance and trouble.

But approximately a dozen teams had talked to the Padres about Latos while only three teams contacted them last winter regarding solid deals for Gonzalez — and the White Sox pulled out early.

“Teams that weren’t going to be able to sign Adrian to a long-term contract weren’t that interested in talking about a deal that would last only one season,” said Byrnes.

Yes, there were teams that could afford to meet Gonzalez’s desire for a multiyear contract worth $22-$25 million annually. But most already had first basemen. Only the Red Sox and Cubs were actively pursuing Gonzalez.

Compared to the Gonzalez trade, the Padres also added payroll in the Latos trade.

While Latos figures to make around $500,000 next year in his third major league season, Volquez could make more than $2 million in his second season of being eligible for arbitration while Alonso has a major league contract calling for $1 million.